The deadliest storm in Georgia history struck the state 120 years ago Tuesday. The 1893 hurricane killed about 2,000 people. But it also was one of the last big storms to hit Georgia. A forecaster says most coastal residents today have no memory of what a similar storm could do.

The first named storm of the Atlantic hurricane season is now losing its tropical characteristics, but tropical storm warnings for Andrea remain in effect for the southern mid-Atlantic coast. The National Hurricane Center in Miami said at 5 p.m. EDT Friday that the storm's low-level center is losing definition but remains a threat to the East Coast.

National Weather Service meteorologist Dan Darbe said Tropical Storm Issac’s path is wide and unpredictable. Even though Isaac looks like it's headed west, Georgia could still see some effects from the storm.

Coastal-area researchers are hoping to dispel a widely-held notion on Georgia's coast: that hurricanes never will be a threat. Georgia hasn't taken a direct hit from a major hurricane in more than a century. Over the last hundred years, only four minor storms made landfall here. The last one was David 33 years ago.

The National Hurricane Center’s 5 a.m. advisory centered Tropical Depression Beryl about 10 miles northwest of Valdosta, with winds at 30 miles-an-hour winds and a few higher gusts. The storm is inching north at 2 miles per hour, but forecasters said it will turn northeast and pick up speed later Tuesday.

Hurricane Irene churned up rough seas and dangerous riptides on Georgia's beaches as the storm passed the coast more than 200 miles offshore. Lifeguards on Tybee Island closed its waters to swimmers Friday after officials decided conditions were too dangerous.

Hurricane Irene is moving closer to the U.S. main land. A particularly large weather system, Irene’s impacts will extend well beyond the center of the storm. Coastal flooding and high surf advisories are in effect for coastal Georgia.

The National Hurricane Center shifted Irene’s path eastward Wednesday, moving Georgia out of what’s called the “cone of uncertainty.” Irene now looks to be headed to the Carolinas or perhaps farther north. Officials said the state likely will get some rain, high winds and rough surf as the storm passes.

Hurricane Irene increased in size and is now exhibiting winds of 115 mph. Located about 285 miles southeast of Nassau in the Bahamas, Hurricane Irene is moving towards the northwest and is expected to make landfall within the U.S. on Saturday morning.